Taylor tried to catch up with the other.
"Hey guys wait for—"
Thud!
In his excitement, heaccidentally bumped into a man.
Taylor stopped abruptly and looked at the staggering man.
Bowing slightly to apologise.
"Sorry sir that won't happen again!"
The man wore short dark cloak that covered his head like hood. Casting a shadow over his face.
The man shot a hard stare that could pierce through steal.
*What the hell!!! Is up with this guy?*
Taylor shifted his eyes on the man's waist.
He noticed a sligh bulge that seemed to be a weapon.
Taylor was taken aback.
*Mabye his a travelling mercenary!*
Taylor quickly dismissed these thoughts.
Just as the man reached out for his waist.
Another figure stepped in.
A man in a sharp black suit interjected before things could escalate.
His suit was impeccably tailored, fitting him snugly, with crisp lines and an air of authority. The fabric shimmered slightly in the sunlight, giving him an impose presence.
He leaned in closer to the cloaked man and whispered.
"Be careful, otherwise your going to blow our cover!"
The hooded man withdrew his hand.
"No pressure kid."
He said, gritting his teeth.
"And there you have it! He accepts your apology."
The suited man added smoothly.
"We must humbly ask for your apology as well for the inconvenience."
"Sure…"
Taylor replied feeling a strange tension in the air.
*Something off about these guys. Or maybe I'm reading too much into this. There probably just a mercenary party from the capital or something.*
Taylor nodded in response t their apology and continued on.
Eager to catch up with the others.
"See you guys at the festival tonight!"
Taylor called out waving.
"Sure, we wouldn't miss it for the world!"
The suited man laced out with a fake smile.
Taylor made his way.
"Strange fellow isn't he, I almost feel bad for him considering what was about to happen."
The suited man turned his head to his friend.
"What where you thinking? You almost blew our cover!"
The suited man hissed.
"We're here to do what we came for, nothing more nothing less. So I suggest you control your urges or I'll do it myself."
His gaze fixed on the towering man.
The man grimaced at the words.
Taylor caught up with the others, as they chased each other around.
As the sun began to set.
"Let's find a place to rest before the festival starts!"
Liam suggested.
All the kids looked at each other, and nodded to each other.
Taylor was relieved, glad to take a breather.
"Hey Taylor let's go!"
Liam called out.
"Wait we're are we going?"
Taylor asked eyeing the kids as they as exchanged mischievous glances.
"Don't worry, just follow us."
Liam said with a grin.
"Okay fine!"
He conceded, his curiosity piqued.
As they walked, he couldn't help but think.
*I wonder what these kids are planning?*
After a few minutes of following them, they finally arrived at a secluded clearing.
"Tada! Here we are!"
Eli said.
*These kids have better not have gotten me lost, or else…*
"This place is awesome."
Taylor said forcing a smile.
"Here are the lanterns we got from Miss Elda."
Carol shouted.
Taylor turned his gaze to the cradled lanterns on the ground.
"This is the best spot to get a clear view of the entire village."
Lowell added.
*The place isn't that bad!*
As twilight deepened, the others were setting the lanterns.
Lowell and Taylor were standing alone.
She took out the envelope from her pocket.
"It's time to light the lanterns."
Liam announced.
The others lit the lanterns as they took up to the sky.
One by one the lanterns floated upward joining the glowing tepestry of light created by the villagers.
"Wow!"
Liam blurted out.
"It's amazing!"
Carol exclaimed.
*It is beautiful.*
Taylor mentally noted.
"Here take it!"
Lowell stretched her hand with a nit folded envelope.
"Read it when you're alone."
Taylor inwardly shook and took the envelope.
"Okay, I'll read it."
"Oh, no! We're out of lanterns!"
Liam exclaimed.
"Really? We're out?"
Carol asked hair curly hair bouncing as she sighed.
"I guess it's time to depart now."
Eli said in a down tone.
"Wait, there are still more at home!"
Taylor said remembering.
"Really?"
Eli asked, his eyes lit up.
"Yes, I'll go get them!"
"Taylor should we not go with you?"
Carol offered immediately.
"Don't worry I'll be quick!"
With that Taylor sprinted down the familiar path towards home.
The joyful sounds of the festival faded behind him.
Crunch…! Crunch...! Crunch…!
replaced by the measured crunch of his footsteps.
"Haaa… Huuf…. Haaa…"
Taylor huffed, as sweat trinkeld down his forehead.
*Mabye I shouldn't have gone alone!*
Finally a familiar silhouette of home became more and more visible as he got closer.
Catching up to the indigo sky.
Finally, a familiar silhouette became more and more apparent as he got closer.
He slowed to walk catching his breath as he approached the back door.
The house house dark and quiet.
*Lalia must still be at the festival.*
He fumbled slightly as he found the key under a worn flower pot.
-Clank!
A soft clank echoed through his ears.
As he let himself in.
***
At the festival Lalia was walking with Garin when they spotted Miss Elda.
"Oh, Lalia is that you?"
Elda exclaimed.
"I haven't seen you in a while."
"I know right it's been a while."
Lalia replied her tone warm.
"Hey, there Elda."
"Huh, Garin? Are you two enjoying the festival together?."
Elda asked with a teasing tone.
Garin added with a cheap-ish laugh.
Just then Liam an the others rushed towards them breathless.
"Garin you're here too?"
"Huh?"
Garin turned his head.
"Hey, What are you kids doing here? Shouldn't you be enjoying the festival?"
The kids paused catching their breaths.
"We were but—"
"Where's Taylor!"
Lalia asked in a worried tone.
"We ran out of lanterns and he said he'd get some more. We thought he'd be back by now."
Liam answered.
"Where?"
Lalia pressed with concern.
"Back at home."
Lowell answered.
"I'll go check on him."
Lalia declared.
"Should I come with?"
Garin offered to help.
"No, you should watch the kids with Elda."
She instructed gently.
"Okay, but be safe!"
Lalia slightly turned red at his words, taken aback, she nodded before running off.
"What was that?"
"Nothing!…. Just being concerned."
Elda teased.
"No, you stay here~"
"Okay be safe!"
Eli and Carol acted the scene.
"Hey, knock it off you two."
The village was alive with beauty.
Filled with the sounds of laughter and cheerful singing.
Colourful banners fluttered in the breeze.
The air was rich with the aroma of delicious foods wafting from different stalls lining.
Garin and Lalia stood nearby, keeping a watchful eye on the group.
Their eyes sparkled with delight as they pointed and laughed at performers dancing and juggling.
"Look over there!"
Elda said gesturing towards the booth filled with pastries.
"I bet those are amazing, and lucky for us uncle Garin is paying!"
Elda looked at him with a teasing smile.
"Yeah!"
The kids shouted in unison.
"Wait! What?"
Garin asked caught off guard.
Eventually he gave up and decided to leave it be.
"Let's make sure the kids don't go too far. The festival is always tempting, especially with all these goods around.
As they monitored the children's excitement, Elda couldn't help but smile at the scene around her.
***
Meanwhile Taylor opened antic chest.
Then like before a slimy figure came bursting out of the chest.
This time without frightening him.
The slime took comfort on his shoulder.
"It must be lonely up here by yourself!"
The slime seemed to agree.
He gently patted it.
"I should get going before the others start to worry."
-Click!
Taylor closed the chest.
Lalia ran towards the house and tried opening the door. To her surprise, it swung open.
"Taylor! where are you?"
Taylor heard the voice from down stairs.
The slime seemed to shrink as it took over in Taylor's pocket.
"Over here, Mom!"
Lalia sighed relief as he heard his carefree voice.
"Wait there I'm coming!"
She climbed the wooden stairs.
"There you are!"
She exclaimed as she embraced him.
"I can't believe you left alone! Your friends were worried about you."
"I'm fine as you can see."
With a glance he knew that she was telling half of the truth.
He hugged him back. Grateful for her concern.
-Bam!
Suddenly a loud noise echoed from the outside.
-Bam!
Then another.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
The sounds startled them both.
*Fire works maybe?*
Lalia glanced towards the window, curiosity etched on her face.
"Stay here!"
She went on to look then her face went pale.
After seeing her her pale expression, he hurried to the window peering outside.
What greeted him was a shocking sight: parts of the village were set ablaze, women and children screaming and flames licking the sides of the building
"What the hell is going on?"
***
A/N:
[Sorry for the late update I had some personal issues that I had to take care of. Now I'm back and I'll try to post regularly from now on.]